As we are not going anywhere today – apart from across the Pacific – I am going to talk about the ship. There are approximately 200 passengers, mainly the affluent retired. 100 French speakers, 50 English and 50 Germans. There are only about 5 from the UK. A few younger ones. There are activities and outings – most of which I am avoiding. At the moment there is a class on preparing ceviche the Tahitian way with coconut milk.

My cabin (see picture below) has a window which is not as advertised although, as there is a lifeboat blocking most of it, it could be described as ‘restricted view’.

The staff are all local and very jolly – part of the job description I would imagine – and one of the waiters is apparently a qualified tattooist. A souvenir that doesn’t take up room in the suitcase?

Off to carry on reading my book in the sunshine until I am summoned to my next meal. Going to be waddling off the boat with all my buttons straining.